I Received an Email from an M.D. for whom I have a great deal of admiration. I thought I would share it with you here. The disease that we discuss here is recognized as one that creates a great deal of stress for caregiver and victim alike. here is what Dr. Al Sears wrote in his email.

“Today I want to talk to you about stress.

When you feel stressed, your body produces a hormone called cortisol. In the right amounts, cortisol isn’t harmful to your body. But when your body makes too much cortisol, it can be extremely toxic.

Too much cortisol can affect your brain cells. It’s what causes mental haziness, forgetfulness, and confusion associated with being stressed. And it can also reduce bone density and increases the loss of vital muscle mass.

To keep excess cortisone under control, many doctors give their patients prescription meds. But these drugs have harmful side effects and can easily lead to addiction if the patient isn’t careful.

That’s why I recommend simple, natural ways to help my patients reduce their stress and cortisol levels. Some of the most effective ones include:

  • Taking a deep breath. Breathing techniques can help calm your body and release stress. I often recommend these techniques to my patients. They’re simple to do, and can be quite effective.

    One of the most effective is cadence breathing. First, clear your mind. Then breathe in to a count of four, hold your breath to a count of seven, and exhale to a count of eight.

    While you are doing this, focus your attention on your breathing. Think about your breath and exclude other thoughts. Observe how long it takes you to inhale and exhale. Make sure you’ve inhaled fully, using your abdomen and lungs. Then, push out all of your breath slowly and fully. After you’ve completed these exercises, take a second and record how you feel. Most likely, you’ll feel calmer and ready to handle whatever you have in front of you.

  • Eating the right foods. Eat foods rich in protein and omega-3. Wild-caught fish, grass-fed beef, free-farmed organic poultry, nuts, olives, eggs and avocados will do the trick. Avoid processed foods and get your carbohydrates mainly from locally grown, organic vegetables and fruits.

  • Doing your favorite things. Everyone has an activity or two that relaxes them and lets them forget about their worries. It could be golfing, painting, gardening or visiting a special place. Set aside time for your favorite things and do them more often.

Another way to combat stress and slow the aging process is to promote production of neurochemicals by “exercising” your brain. “

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